THE FILM WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11226, 3 June 1922, Page 4

THE FILM WORLD

The ever-popular Mary Pickford -will soon be seen at Everybody’s in “Through the Back Door,” which is described as one of the greatest pictures produced by the United Artists’ Production (“The Big Four”). It was written by Marion Fairfax from Mary’s ora idea, and was produced by Mary’s brother and Alfred E. Gr^en. The programme at the Princess consists of tivo special “star” pictures, and the audiences at each session express their approval with loud -applause. The management is -arranging for some •specially -attractive films to be produced.

Rudolph Valentino has been making scenes for Paramount in “Blood and Sand.”

Blanche Payton, the tallest woman on the screen, is six feet four inches, and she plays in support of Baby Peggy, the three-year-old Century 6tar, who is the smallest on the screen. Wilfred Luca 6, character-lead in Mary Pickford’s new film, “Through the Back Door,” soon to he produced •at Everybody’s, has a lot of “firsts” to his credit. He was the first legitimate stage star to go into pictures. That was back in 1907. D. W. Griffith induced him. He was the first man whose hand ever appeared in a closeup on the screen. And he was the .first man ever to take .a company on a distant location. Mr Griffith, for whom he was then directing, sent him from New York to Quebec with a company in the latter part of 1908. A recent cable from Los Angeles states that Priscilla Doan, the popular film actress, was injured in the tremendous" fire which occurred at Universal City. The fire, which was caused by an. electric short-circuit igniting films, caused damage to the extent of £25,000. Cinematograph performers fought the flames side by side with the firemen, but, despite their efforts, 185,000 feet of film wa® destroyed.

“Over the Hill,” which is now being screened at the Paramount and Artdraft Theatres, is a picture which every mother should see. It is a beautifully told story of mother love and devotion, and one cannot wonder that, it has created such a stir.

Theodore Roberts, the greatest character interpreter in motion pictures, is a native Californian, having been horn and educated in San Francisco. He was" formerly on the speaking stage, but his most brilliant successes have beeit on the screen.. In “Hail the Woman;” Roberts plays the leading part of a grim New England bigot, and he portrays it with fidelity and genius.

Possessing a simple theme, “Broken Blossoms,” the latest D. W. Griffith achievement, which will shortly be produced in Wellington, is a poignant story of a young girl born to pain and suffering and finally beaten to her death. It is from the story, “Limehouse Nights," by Thomas Burke,, that vivid writer who has made the notorious "Chinese quarter of the East End of London his own. “Broken Blossoms” possesses no elaborate plot, and the story is soon told, but in the film it is unfolded with a wealth of detail that accentuates the pathos arid prepares the spectator for. the tragic ' climax. Richard Baxthelmess, the admirable delineator of the romantic, idealistic role, who- attracted such notice in “Way Down East,” is seen in a masterly portrayal of Yellow Fate, a dreamy Chinese, in love with the young girl. The role of the "girl is charmingly expressed by Lillian Gish. “Brocken Blossoms’ ’ is to be released for production at Everybody’s. In “Beauty’s Worth,” a Cosmopolitan Paramount picture, starring Marion Davies, Mister Moon rises slowly, and as Columbine and Harlequin go through their love soene he -winks fit eye at the audience and purses his lips •as if to say : “We know—you and I—we’re on!”■ The story was written by Sophie Kerr, and was adapted to the screen by Luther Reed. Mao Murray is returning to the films in “Peacock Alley,” a drama that depicts the night life of New York and Paris. Mao essays the role of a butterfly dancer, and is said to have

should be divided- amongst our children to their best advantage.” Nicola, the renowned wizard, who has been engaged by Messrs. J. C. Williamson for ’a tour, of New Zealand, has had some varied experiences in the course of his world tour. In 1910 he appeared at Pekin before the Boy Emperor and his suite, and delighted the little monarch by producing a live rabbit from the ooat of an indignant mandarin of his suite.. The Prince Regent presented him with a ring, the gift of the young Emperor, at the same time requesting him to make a considerable pause for discussion and refreshment, between each trick, as the Court objected to his “whirlwind programmes.” Nicola thereupon adopted a go-slow policy, -with the resultthat tho leisurely Orientals sat out an entertainment which lasted till the early hours of the morning. “The Maid of the Mountains” 6imp!y took Auckland by storm, and thft production of this attractive piece is awaited with keen interest. Of Miss Gladys Monorieff, it is said:—“The Maid is Miss Gladys Moncrieff, and Miss Moncrieff is the Maid. If the producers had searched the world over, probably they could not have hit on a more entirely satisfactory leading lady. Miss Moncrieff sings delightfully, and her acting has come on with a rush. There is no need to import stars whilst so bright a luminary shines in the Southern Hemisphere.” And also this: —“Miss Mione Stew art is a young New Zealander- who also gets her chance in this show, and she rises to it like a trout A young bora humourist, who carries off a pretty frock with the best of them, popular Dick Stewart’s daughter delivers the goods in.’The Maid.’ A distinct and unusual ... personality, this little lady seems ajsured. of even bigger the future.” Mr W. 8. Percy, better known as “Billy” Percy, who is appearing as Baron Bazofiker in the “Babe® in the Wood” pantomime to-night, has not appeared on the New Zealand stage for nine or ten years. Many years ago lie made his name as a comedian with tho Pollards in Australia and New Zealand, and latterly he has won fame in dance and comedy parts on the English stage and in America. He made a great hit in Australia recently, and is ono of the most popular comedians that has appeared on this side of the world. Mr Percy hails originally from Dunedin, where his people are still in residence-

created quite a sensation in the part. Constance Talmadge will soon he seen as a member of the Ziegfield Follies. She makes her appearance as a Ziegfield beauty in her latest First National starring vehicle, “Polly of the Follies,” an original story by John Emerson and Anita Loos. It was first called “Good for Nothing.” In the screen adaptation of “Wild Honey,” Cynthia Stockley’s well-known novel, the stellar role is portrayed' by Priscilla Dean. Others in the cast are the Beery Bros., Robert Ellis, the leading man; Lloyd Whitlock, Percy Challenger, Carl Stockdale and Landers Stevens.

Zane Grey ia probably the most widely-read of American novelists, his virile tales of the West being very popular. His story of love and adventure, “The Man of the Forest,” has been produced under tihe author’s supervision by Hodgkinson’s, and proved to be a thrilling seven-reeler. During this week admirers of Douglas Fairbanks will be able to see him at his best at Everybody’s Theatre in a stirring super-feature production entitled “The Mark of Zorro.” The picture is un adaptation from Johnston McOalley’s novel “The Curse of Capistrano,” and it literally teems with action, underlying which is a wonderful love romance.